About TLTP

With the financial backing of the Universities Funding Council (UFC), the Teaching and Learning Technology Programme (TLTP) was launched in 1992. Its primary aim was to provide UK universities with the funding required to develop new methods of teaching and learning through the use of technology. A total of 76 projects were funded under the first two phases of the programme. These aimed to introduce, support and develop new technology based teaching and learning materials. An evaluation of the first two phases indicated the need to concentrate more on implementation and embedding of materials within institutions. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland (DENI) therefore initiated Phase 3 of TLTP, with funding of £3.5 million a year for three years.

TLTP Phase 3 - Loughborough's Involvement

The following is a summary of the TLTP Phase 3 projects that Loughborough University is involved in. Please click on the project title for more information.

TLTP Phase 3 Project	Department Involved	Lead Site
EASEIT-Eng (Evaluative and Advisory Support to Encourage Innovative Teaching - Engineering)	Eng TLSC & Mechanical Engineering	Loughborough University
FOCUS (Framework for Optimising C&IT Uptake and Support)	Eng TLSC& Computing Services	Portsmouth University
Mechanics for Engineers	Eng TLSC	University of Surrey
Implementation of Computer Imagery and Visualisation in Teaching, Learning and Assessment	Civil & Building Engineering	Loughborough University
Implementation and Evaluation of Computer-Assisted Assessment	FLI	University of Luton

EASEIT-Eng

Project Type	Implementation
Lead Site	Loughborough University
Total Funding	£279,000
Contact	Dr Steve Rothberg, Fiona Lamb, Andrew Wallace (Loughborough University)
E-mail	S.J.Rothberg@lboro.ac.uk, F.M.Lamb@lboro.ac.uk, A.Wallace@lboro.ac.uk
Project URL	http://www.easeit-eng.org/easeit-eng/easeit-eng.html
Local URL	http://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~mcaw/easeit/easeit.html
Consortium Partners	Loughborough University, CTI Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, University of Hertfordshire, University of Hull, University of Northumbria, University of Surrey

EASEIT-Eng offers an evaluative and advisory support network to encourage innovative teaching in Engineering.

EASEIT-Eng enables an academic tutor to make an informed choice from a range of evaluated computer-based materials. Its advisory network offers expertise to ensure effective curriculum integration.

FOCUS

Project Type	Implementation
Lead Site	University of Portsmouth
Total Funding	£180,000
Contact	John Scriven (University of Portsmouth)
E-mail	john.scriven@port.ac.uk
Project URL	http://www.focus.port.ac.uk/
Local URL	http://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~mcaw/focus/focus.html
Consortium Partners	University of Portsmouth, University of North London, Loughborough University, University of Southampton, University of Strathclyde, Sheffield College

FOCUS - (Framework for Optimising C&IT Uptake and Support) will look at the ways in which online environments can be used to support effective learning in Higher Education. As well as evaluating the range of integrated software environments now available, the project will create a structured framework that will enable staff and students to develop, manage and learn through the use of these environments.

Mechanics for Engineers and Scientists

Project Type	Implementation
Lead Site	University of Surrey
Total Funding	£264,000
Contact	Dr R A Bacon
E-mail	r.bacon@surrey.ac.uk
Project URL	http://www.ph.surrey.ac.uk/stomp
Local URL	http://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~mcaw/stomp/stomp.html
Consortium Partners	University of Surrey, University of Brighton, University of Portsmouth, University of Salford, King's College London, Loughborough University, University of Hull, University of Nottingham.

Mechanics for Engineers will promote the use of computer-based teaching software, produced during the first two phases of TLTP, over a wider range of departments and disciplines than at present. Two complete Mechanics modules, one for Scientists and one for Engineers, will be delivered using the structured course package developed by the SToMP phase 1 project. The package is essentially a skeletal software environment with the flexibility to include a database of reference materials, various software tools, teaching scripts, self-assessed tests and interactive computer aided learning (CAL) simulations. Each module will contain approximately 14 of the units developed by the SToMP project. Each unit should be equivalent to a 60 - 90 minute lecture and will also include assessment and self-study materials.

Mechanics for Engineers aims to encourage co-operation between departments from different engineering and science disciplines to use one basic system in a variety of ways, and to assist in the modifications that are necessary to cater for individual requirements. The project will also instigate widespread trialing of these materials with science and engineering students. These trials will highlight problem areas and allow subsequent modules improvements to be made.

Implementation of Computer Imagery and Visualisation in Teaching Learning and Assessment

Project Type	Implementation
Total Funding	£144,000
Contact	Dr N Bouchlaghem
E-mail	n.m.bouchlaghem@lboro.ac.uk
URL	http://cal-visual.lboro.ac.uk/
Consortium Partners	Loughborough University, Tarmac Professional Services, De Montfort University, University of Westminster, University of the West of England, Chartered Institute of Building

Aims and objectives

Aims

To make effective use of existing image archives as teaching, learning and assessment aids for undergraduate and graduate use and continuing professional development (CPD) programmes.
To promote the wide use of these archives in teaching building design and construction by embedding the project deliverables in built environment programmes.
To promote deep learning by using improved visualisation techniques.

Objectives

To classify, collate and make available the construction images of Loughborough and De Montfort Universities, University of the West of England, University of Westminster and Tarmac Professional Services (TPS).
To investigate, select and implement methodologies for presenting these images.
To integrate and embed the use of these images in undergraduate, graduate and CPD teaching, learning and assessment, based on a framework that simulates the construction process.
To produce teaching and training materials for academic tutors and CPD programmes.
To evaluate the effectiveness of embedded teaching with images in HE and CPD environments.
To disseminate best practice in embedded teaching with images to the academic and professional communities.

Outcomes

A report detailing methodologies for the use of images in teaching and assessment applicable to the construction sector.
A set of CD ROMs for undergraduate, graduate and CPD use in the field of building design and construction.
Training packs for academic and CPD tutors.
Methodologies of image use that are transferable to other disciplines in the form of a report for wide dissemination available in paper and electronic formats.

Implementation and Evaluation of Computer-Assisted Assessment

Project Type	Implementation
Total Funding	£228,000
Contact	Joanna Bull
E-mail	joanna.bull@luton.ac.uk
URL	http://caacentre.ac.uk/
Consortium Partners	University of Luton, The University of Strathclyde, Oxford Brookes University, Loughborough University

Aims and objectives

Aims

The project will disseminate models of implementation and evaluation, to help institutions implement computer-assisted assessment (CAA) strategically, achieving a rapid shift in institutional culture to embed CAA within the curriculum. A centre for CAA knowledge and expertise will provide advice and guidance to individuals, departments, faculties and institutions.

Objectives

Identify institutions, faculties, departments and subject areas which have successfully overcome the difficulties of implementing CAA.
Identify obstacles to embedding CAA at all institutional levels.
Develop and pilot models and guidelines focusing on the strategic implementation of CAA at all institutional levels.
Identify and develop pedagogic good practice in embedding CAA within the curriculum.
Identify and develop operational, organisational, quality assurance and technical good practice in the management and organisation of CAA.
Produce staff development and training materials to ensure dissemination and implementation of good practice.
Develop measures to evaluate the educational and cost effectiveness of different types of CAA.

Outcomes

A centre of expertise and advice for those wishing to develop and implement CAA.
A web-site providing project documentation and evaluation in various formats.
A piloted and evaluated range of generic models which assist departments, faculties and institutions in understanding the value of CAA; overcoming the reluctance to implement CAA strategically; embedding CAA systems within existing institutional policies and procedures; and enhancing their existing assessment methods and strategies through the appropriate use of CAA.
A range of good practice documentation covering CAA. This will include definitions, comparisons of different types of CAA, strategic planning, codes of good practice, measures of cost and learning effectiveness, quality assurance implications, emerging question types and their pedagogical implications, statistical techniques, technical issues, operational procedures (especially for summative assessments), barriers to change, and recommendations on the implementation of CAA within different organisational structures.
A series of institutional, regional and subject specific workshops.
A national conference.

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Last updated 20 October 1998